Going after video game violence.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief Article

California has passed a law to ban the sale or rental of ultra-violent video games to children under the age of 18 unless they have permission from their parents. "Ultra-violent" is defined as depicting serious injury to human beings in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious or cruel.

"Unlike movies, where you passively watch violence," says Assemblyman Leland Yee, sponsor of the bill, "in a video game you are the active participant and making decisions on who to stab, main, burn or kill."

The law requires game manufacturers and distributors to label the games for adult sale only. Retailers who sell them inappropriately face a $1,000 fine. Illinois and...